Dixon, New Mexico

Dixon is an unincorporated community located in Rio Arriba County in the U.S. state of New Mexico, on NM Highway 75, just east of NM Highway 68 in the north-central part of the state, and is about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Taos. The elevation of Dixon is 6028 feet (1837 meters) above sea level. It is on the banks of the Embudo River, a tributary of the Rio Grande. The Embudo flows into the Rio Grande two miles (3.2 km) downstream from Dixon. The town is the hometown of the late singer-songwriter Al Hurricane, also known as "The Godfather" of New Mexico music. The town is home to the largest population of organic farmers in the state, as well as several wineries.

Dixon, New Mexico
CDP
Dixon, New Mexico
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°11′55″N 105°53′19″W
CountryUnited States
StateNew Mexico
CountyRio Arriba
Elevation
6,028 ft (1,837 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total926
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
87527

According to the 2010 Census the population is 926, with 70% of residents identifying as Hispanic. Many non-Hispanics have made their homes here since the mid-1960s.[1]

History

The area was inhabited by Tiwa peoples from nearby Picuris Pueblo, then settled by Spanish colonists under the 1725 Embudo Land Grant. The original name was El Puerto del Embudo de Nuestro Señor San Antonio and the grant was made in 1725, to Francisco Martín, Lázaro Córdova and Juan Márquez. The acequias (irrigation canals) were the first public work project of any land grant, so they were started immediately after settlement, on Sept. 20, 1725 and there are 10 Historic Acequias with senior water rights on the Embudo River and one with junior water rights. On the Rio Grande there are two with senior rights and two with junior water rights. The aldea was known as San Antonio del Embudo until around 1900 when a post office was established and the name was changed to Dixon, reputedly to honor Collins Dixon, a school teacher who taught here in the late 19th century; one tradition has him being a Civil War army deserter; his descendants live around nearby Española.

Climate and wineries

Because of the temperate climate generated by the local topography and helped by the acequias (irrigation ditch system), the Embudo Valley has become a significant fruit and grape growing area and the greater Dixon area has two wineries, the La Chiripada Winery and the Vivác Winery.

Art and the Dixon Studio Tour

The substantial number of artists and craft people living in the area led to the 1982 creation of the Dixon Studio Tour which annually draws many visitors during the two days in November that it occupies. There are several galleries in the area, including: Rift Gallery, Rare Earth Gallery, Manifestation Arts, and Metier Fine Handweaving and Craft. Annual summer stonecarving workshops are held at Southwest Stoneworks adjacent to Rift Gallery.

Points of interest

About 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the town on New Mexico State Road 75, rock and mineral collectors can visit the Harding Mine, a pegmatite mine donated to the University of New Mexico by Dr. Arthur Montgomery. Maps and release forms to visit the mine can be obtained at the University of New Mexico, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, or at the Dixon home of Gilbert Griego, mine caretaker, or at the Embudo Valley Library in Dixon.[2]

Community

Dixon is home to the community supported Embudo Valley Library, radio station KLDK-LP and the Dixon Cooperative Market, and during the summer months the Dixon Farmers' Market. It also has a retreat center, at Mission Embudo, which offers space for workshops and retreats.

Education

Dixon has 1 elementary school which is part of the Española Public Schools:

  • Dixon Elementary

Notes
  1. Here s an extensive collection of statistics about Dixon and its population.
  2. Crow, Melinda; Shedenhelm, W. R. C. (1995). The Rockhound's Guide to New Mexico. Globe Pequot. pp. 48–50. ISBN 1560443405.

References
  • Pearce, T. M., ed. (1965). New Mexico Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press. OCLC 420847.
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